Microwavable Heat Packs

By: Jesse Williams

While it isn't a very exciting present- a bag of grain- it sure does feel good after a long day of chores in the cold. This super easy, quick, homemade gift will give your rancher a relaxing way to warm up or relax their aching muscles. Plus you can personalize with a fun material choice. Make one for each family member!

Materials

Cotton fabric (two fat quarters will work)
6 cups of wheat (or a preferably awnless cereal variety)
Sewing machine & thread

Directions

Pick your favorite cotton fabric, double it over and cut a 6.5" x 16" rectangle. You'll need to repeat this with another fabric choice, but you can pick any color you want as it will be inside and not visible. I picked a "lovely" pink floral pattern that has been sitting in my fabric drawer for years.

You'll now need to place the fabrics on top of each other in a specific order:
1. floral, face up
2. cowboy print, face up
3. cowboy print, face down
4. floral, face down

Pin in place for sewing.

Sew a seam along three edges (two long sides and one short side). I used a  1/4" seam. Turn the bag right side out.

Fill the bag with 6 cups of cereal grain, preferably wheat. Because we are not big grain farmers, the only thing we had in the bins was barley, which was quite dirty. I thought the awns might make the bag pokey but because of the two layers of fabric, you can't even feel them. I would still try to get an awnless variety if possible though.

You will now need to fold over the 1/4" seam on the short edge and sew the length shut. I did a double seam to make sure there would be no weak spots. Then, Voila! You have your very own microwavable heat bag. Pop it in the microwave for 2 minutes and place on all your aches and pains after a long day of chores, a late night pulling calves or cold day of moving cows.